You have obviously followed the trade war that the President of the United States is waging against many countries and companies, which according to him will strengthen the American economy. And in Donald Trump’s sights, there is obviously China.
As a response, Beijing has found a lethal weapon: rare earths. Today essential in the manufacture of many technological products, ranging from electric car batteries and telephones, to military equipment, the Chinese are the main supplier. They represent nearly 70% of global production and more than 90% of refining.
China is therefore threatening to cut off the tap to the United States, in the hope of seeing the customs duties imposed by Trump reduced.
The American president is therefore looking for new supplies. It is ready to dig anywhere, including the bottom of the oceans.
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This episode was written and presented by Charlotte Baris and directed by Jules Krot.
Credit: TV5 Monde, The White House, France 24
Music and design: Emmanuel Herschon/Studio Torrent
Logo: Jérémy Cambour
How to listen to a podcast? Follow the leader.
To go further :
Javier Blas (Bloomberg): “If rare earths were so strategic, we wouldn’t put them in vacuum cleaners”
“Donald Trump thinks it’s open bar”: the United States’ maneuvers to exploit the seabed
How Donald Trump breaks the global climate thermometer
